Hemisphere-coupled modeling of nighttime medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances

Nighttime medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs), which have tilted frontal structures in the midlatitude ionosphere, are investigated by the midlatitude ionosphere electrodynamics coupling (MIECO) model in this study. It has been proposed that the electrodynamic coupling between the E and F regions plays an important role in generating MSTIDs within a few hours. An intriguing aspect of MSTIDs is that they were simultaneously observed at magnetic conjugate locations in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. In order to study the hemisphere-coupled electrodynamics, the MIECO model has been upgraded to consist of two simulation domains for both hemispheres in which the electrostatic potential is solved by considering electrodynamics in both hemispheres. The simultaneous occurrence of MSTIDs at the magnetic conjugate stations has clearly been reproduced when the F-region neutral wind satisfies the unstable condition in both hemispheres and a sporadic-E layer is given only at the Northern (summer) Hemisphere. Even if the unstable condition is satisfied in the summer hemisphere, an unfavorable F-region neutral wind in the winter hemisphere largely suppresses the growth of MSTIDs in both hemispheres.     

DEMETER and DMSP satellite observations of the disturbed H/O ratio caused by Earth’s seismic activity in the Sumatra area during December 2004

In the present paper, plasma probe data taken from DEMETER and DMSP-F15 satellites were used to study the ion density and temperature disturbances in the morning topside ionosphere, caused by seismic activity at low latitudes. French DEMETER (Detection of Electro-Magnetic Emissions Transmitted from Earthquake Regions) micro-satellite mission had been especially designed to provide global scale observations in the topside ionosphere over seismically active regions. Onboard the DEMETER satellite, the thermal plasma instrument called “Instrument Analyser de Plasma” (IAP) provides ion mass and densities, ion temperature, three component ion drift and ion density irregularities measurements. As a part of “Defense Meteorological Satellite Program”, DMSP-F15 satellite is on orbit operation since 1999. It provides ionospheric plasma diagnostics by means of the “Special Sensor-Ion, Electron and Scintillations” (SSIES-2) instrument. We examined few examples of possible seismic effects in the equatorial ionosphere, probably associated with seismic activity during December month in the area of Sumatra Island, including main shock of giant Sumatra event. It is found that the localized topside ionospheric disturbances appear close to the epicenters of certain earthquakes in the Sumatra region. In two cases, ion H⁺/O⁺ ratio rises more than one hour before the main shock, due to the O⁺ density decrease at the winter side of the geomagnetic equator, with longitudinally closest location to the epicenter of the earthquakes. These anomalous depletions in O⁺ density do exist in all cases of SSIES-2 data. Particularly for Sumatra main event, more than one hour after the main shock, we observe large-scale depletion in O⁺ density northward of the geomagnetic equator at winter side hemisphere. Associated with O⁺ depletion, ion temperature latitudinal profile around the geomagnetic equator shows enhanced asymmetry with minimum at the summer side and maximum in positive Ti deviation from mean value at the winter side. This disturbance lasted for more than three hours, later in time observed at the same place by IAP/DEMETER.     

低纬(海南)电离层等离子体漂移对地磁活动的响应

利用2003-2016年期间子午工程海南站（19.5°N,109.1°E）数字测高仪观测到的电离层等离子体漂移数据,分析了高低两种太阳活动条件下纬向和垂直向漂移对近磁静、中等磁扰和强磁扰三种地磁活动水平的响应特性.结果表明:日间纬向漂移各季节均以西向为主,随地磁活动无明显变化,白天日出附近和夜间漂移在各季节均以东向为主,随地磁活动增强而减弱,减弱程度在分季最大,在夏季最小;日间垂直漂移在零值附近变化,且不受地磁活动和季节影响,日落附近漂移仅在分季受到地磁活动的抑制,午夜前垂直漂移在分季受到抑制,在冬季因强磁扰而反向,夏季无明显规律,子夜至日出后垂直漂移在各季节随地磁活动增强而减小.与赤道区Jicamarca相比,两地漂移对地磁活动的响应相近,但在幅度和相位上存在差异,这可能是两地区的地理位置、背景电场和风场结构等不同造成的.      

亚极光区极化流发生期间电离层离子下行的统计

亚极光区极化流是地球磁层–电离层耦合过程中最重要的现象之一,对电离层具有重要的调制作用.多数情况下,亚极光区极化流发生时会伴随局地离子上行流动,目前已对其有充分的研究,但对离子下行的研究却甚少.本文分析了DMSP卫星在2001-2015年间16个地磁暴中的观测数据,在483个亚极光区极化流事件中找到102个离子下行事件...     

Transport of ions in presence of induced electric field and electrostatic turbulence: Source of ions injected into ring current

The transport of ions from the polar ionosphere to the inner magnetosphere during stormtime conditions has been computed using a Monte Carlo diffusion code. The effect of the electrostatic turbulence assumed to be present during the substorm expansion phase was simulated by a process that accelerated the ions stochastically perpendicular to the magnetic field with a diffusion coefficient proportional to the energization rate of the ions by the induced electric field. This diffusion process was continued as the ions were convected from the plasma sheet boundary layer to the double-spiral injection boundary. Inward of the injection boundary, the ions were convected adiabatically. By using as input an O⁺ flux of 2.8 × 10⁸ cm^?2 s^?1 (w > 10 eV) and an H⁺ flux of 5.5 × 10⁸ cm^?2 s^?1 (w > .63 eV), the computed distribution functions of the ions in the ring current were found to be in good agreement, over a wide range in L (4 to 8), with measurements made with the ISEE-1 satellite during a storm. This O⁺ flux and a large part of the H⁺ flux are consistent with the DE satellite measurements of the polar ionospheric outflow during disturbed times.     

Physical implications of discrepancy between summer and winter PC indices observed in the course of magnetospheric substorms

The PC index based on a statistically justified relationship between the polar cap magnetic activity and the interplanetary electric field E_KL has been derived as a value standardized for the E_KL intensity regardless of season, UT and hemisphere. As a result, the summer and winter PC indices are consistent with one another under ordinary conditions. Discrepancies between the summer and winter PC indices arising in the course of magnetospheric substorms are analyzed in this paper. It is argued that the channel of enhanced conductivity, formed in the auroral oval owing to intense auroral particle precipitation, strongly improves the conditions for closure of the Region 1 field-aligned currents in the winter dark polar region but only trivially affects the conditions of the Region 1 FAC closure in the summer sunlit ionosphere. Since the coefficients describing the relationship between E_KL and the polar cap magnetic activity were derived for statistically justified (i.e., mean) conditions, their application to such abnormal situation, as intense field-aligned currents in the winter dark polar region, leads to overestimation of the winter PC index. The summer and winter PC indices level off as soon as the intense auroral particle precipitation terminates and the auroral ionosphere in the winter and summer polar caps returns to the ordinary (statistically justified) state.     

On high-altitude electric fields in the auroral downward current region and their coupling to ionospheric electric fields

The downward field-aligned current region plays an active role in magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling processes associated with aurora. A quasi-static electric field structure with a downward parallel electric field forms at altitudes between 800 km and 5000 km, accelerating ionospheric electrons upward, away from the auroral ionosphere. Other phenomena including energetic ion conics, electron solitary waves, low-frequency wave activity, and plasma density cavities occur in this region, which also acts as a source region for VLF saucers. Results are presented from high-altitude Cluster observations with particular emphasis on the characteristics and dynamics of quasi-static electric field structures. These, extending up to altitudes of at least 4–5 Earth radii, appear commonly as monopolar or bipolar electric fields. The former occur at sharp boundaries, such as the polar cap boundary whereas the bipolar fields occur at softer boundaries within the plasma sheet. The temporal evolution of quasi-static electric field structures, as captured by the pearls-on-a-string configuration of the Cluster spacecraft, indicates that the formation of electric field structures and of ionospheric plasma density cavities are closely coupled processes. A related feature of the downward current is a broadening of the current sheet with time, possibly related to the depletion process. Preliminary studies of the coupling of electric fields in the downward current region, show that small-scale structures are typically decoupled from the ionosphere, similar to what has been found for the upward current region. However, exceptions are also found where small-scale electric fields couple perfectly between the ionosphere and Cluster altitudes. Recent FAST results indicate that the degree of coupling differs between sheet-like and curved structures, and that it is typically partial. The electric field coupling further depends on the current–voltage relationship, which is highly non-linear in the downward current region, and still unrevealed, as to its specific form.     

Model calculations of the dayside ionosphere of Venus

Model calculations of the dayside ionosphere of Venus are presented. The coupled continuity and momentum equations were solved for O₂⁺, O⁺, CO₂⁺, C⁺, N⁺, He⁺, and H⁺ density distributions, which are compared with measurements from the Pioneer Venus ion mass spectrometer. The agreement between the model results and the measurements is good for some species, such as O⁺, and rather poor for others, such as N⁺, indicating that our understanding of the dayside ion composition of Venus is incomplete. The coupled heat conduction equations for ions and electrons were solved and the calculated temperatures compared with Pioneer Venus measurements. It is shown that fluctuations in the magnetic field have a significant effect on the energy balance of the ionosphere.     

Temporal,seasonal, and solar cycle variations of the topside proton concentration at Arecibo

An estimate of the topside proton concentration can be obtained by analyzing the incoherent scatter radar autocorrelation function from that region. Our observations at Arecibo, Puerto Rico indicate that the H⁺ to O⁺ composition transition height often occurs as low as 450 km during winter nights, near solar minimum. In the summer, the nighttime transition height is only slightly higher, near 600 km. This height is also affected by the level of magnetic activity. Maximum concentrations of H⁺ occur near 04:00 LT, with a minimum about twelve hours later. The observations of topside H⁺ were acquired during the past six years as part of the Regular World Day experiments, and from studies of the low latitude hydrogen geocorona. In particular, we will emphasize the results obtained during the solstice and equinox periods of the Thermospheric Mapping Study.     

Temporal and spatial variations observed in the ionospheric composition of Venus: Implications for empirical modelling

In situ measurements of the thermal ion composition of the ionosphere of Venus have been obtained for a period of two Venus years from the Bennett rf ion mass spectrometer on the Pioneer Venus Orbiter. Ion measurements within an altitude interval of 160 to 300 kilometers, corresponding to an overall latitude interval of about ?4° to 34°N, are assembled from the interval December 1978 to March 1980. This time interval corresponds to two revolutions of Venus about the Sun, designated as two “diurnal cycles”. The distributions of several ion species in this data base have been sorted to identify temporal and spatial variations, and to determine the feasibility of an analytical representation of the experimental results. The first results from the sorting of several prominent ions including O⁺, O₂⁺, and H⁺ and several minor ions including CO₂⁺, C⁺, and H₂⁺ reveal significant diurnal variations, with superimposed modulation associated with solar activity and solar wind variations. The diurnal variation consists of strong day to night contrast in the ion concentrations, with differences of one to two orders of magnitude, depending upon ion mass and altitude. The concentrations of O₂⁺, O⁺, CO₂⁺ and C⁺ peak throughout the dayside decreasing sharply at the terminators to nightside levels, lower by one to two orders of magnitude relative to the dayside. The diurnal variations of the light ions H⁺ and H₂⁺ peak during the night, exhibiting asymmetric nightside bulges favoring the pre-dawn sector, near 0400 solar hour angle. Superimposed upon the diurnal distributions are modulation signatures which correlate well with modulation in the F_10.7 index, indicating a strong influence of solar variability on the ion production and distribution. The influence of solar wind perturbations upon the ion distributions are also indicated, by a significant increase in the scatter of the observations with increasing altitude as higher altitudes, approaching 300 kilometers, are sampled. Together, these temporal and spatial variations make the task of modelling the ionosphere of Venus both very interesting and challenging.     

Positive ion composition and electron density in a combined auroral and NLC event

The positive ion composition and electron density were measured in the lower ionosphere above Kiruna in salvo A of CAMP (Cold Arctic Mesopause Project). The CAMP/P (S37/P) payload carrying a magnetic ion spectrometer, positive ion and electron probes, and propagation experiments was launched on 3 August 1982 2332 UT during extended Noctilucent Clouds (NLC) and auroral activities over Kiruna. The measured electron density was 5×10³cm^?3 at 80 km and 2.5×10⁵cm^?3 at 90 km. The increase of ion and electron densities in the D- and E-region during twilight was caused by precipitating auroral particles. The height distribution of the positive ions measured by the mass spectrometer in the mass range 19–280 amu is different from a winter flight with similar auroral conditions. Below 85.5 km proton hydrates H⁺(H₂O)₃ ? H⁺(H₂O)₈ were the dominant ions. The heaviest proton hydrates H⁺(H₂O)₇ and H⁺(H₂O)₈ were most abundant at 82–85.5 km, the altitude of visible NLC. Above 85.5 km O₂⁺ and NO⁺ became dominant. A small metal ion layer was observed between 90.5–93 km with a maximum ion density of 10% of the total positive ion density at 91 km altitude. The metal ion density disappeared within about a km below 90.5 km.     

Impact of geomagnetic variation over sub-auroral ionospheric region during high solar activity year 2014

The present work is an attempt to evaluate the impact of changing space weather condition over sub-auroral ionosphere during high solar activity year 2014. In view of this, the GPS based TEC along with Ionosonde data over Indian permanent scientific base “Maitri”, Antarctica (70°46′00″S, 11°43′56″E) has been utilized. The results suggested that the nature of ionospheric responses to the geomagnetic disturbances not only depended upon the status of high latitudinal electro-dynamic processes but also influenced by the seasonal variations. The results revel both negative and positive type of ionospheric response in a single year but during different seasons. The study suggested that the combination of equator-ward plasma transportation along with ionospheric compositional changes causes a negative ionospheric impact especially during summer and equinox seasons. However, the combination of pole-ward contraction of the oval region along with particle precipitation may lead to exhibit positive ionospheric response during the winter season. The plasma transportation direction has been validated with the help of convection boundary (HM boundary) deduced with the help of SuperDARN observations. The ground based ionosonde observations clearly provided the evidence of deep penetration of high energetic particles up to the E-layer heights which results a sudden and strong appearance of E-layer. The strengthening of E-layer is responsible for modification of auroral electrojet and field-aligned current system. Also, the sudden appearance of E-layer along with a decrease in F-layer electron density suggested the dominance of NO⁺ over O⁺ in a considered region under geomagnetic disturbed condition.     

Ion precipitation into the ionosphere during geomagnetic storms

This review presents numerous recent examples of interesting variations in the composition and intensity of the hot ion flux (10 eV - 15 keV/e) provided by the AUREOL-3 satellite as a function of latitude and local time during periods of magnetic activity. In particular, these results reveal that although H⁺ is the most abundant ion during magnetically quiet periods, the ion composition of hot plasma at ionospheric altitudes is quite variable, and depends strongly on magnetic activity; results obtained during main and recovery phases of several magnetic storms demonstrate clearly (below 15 keV/Q) the great importance of the low altitude ionospheric source (H⁺, O⁺, and to a lesser degree He⁺) particularly at low latitudes (L ～ 3 - 4) where the flux of O⁺ ions becomes very large and even dominates. The results of the AUREOL-3 ion spectrometers establish the fact that upflowing suprathermal ionospheric ions (E_i < 100 eV/e) appear over large regions of the auroral ionosphere, the polar caps, and the polar cusp, as well as in or at the boundary of the plasmasphere during magnetospheric substorms or magnetic storms, and may consequently contribute significantly to the plasma sheet and to the inner storm time ring current. Most of the properties of the storm time ring current found by the GEOS, SCATHA, and ISEE satellites apply to lower altitudes, although the role of the ionospheric and/or plasmaspheric source appears accentuated.     

Hybrid quadri-ionic model of the lower ionosphere

An ion model of the lower ionosphere is proposed. It consists of four positive ions: O₂⁺, NO⁺ and two cluster ions - a simpler CI₁ and a more complex CI₂. This model well explains the normal component of the winter anomaly (WA) in the D-region, which is recorded by absorption measurements on short radiowaves and rocket experiments at middle (40°N) and high (70°) latitudes. The higher values of the electron density during the winter appear as a result of the lower recombination because of smaller rates of cluster ion formation, i.e. the normal WA can be explained and modelled by the regular seasonal variations of composition, temperature and density.     

Influence of the Ionosphere on the Observation of the Mid-Latitude Pi2 Pulsations at the Global Scale

Results of our investigation showed that occurrence frequency of Pi2 over a 24 hour period undergoes seasonal variations in time coincidence with foF2. In the winter months, at sunrise and sunset (when foF2gradients are the largest) the observation probability of these oscillations is minimal. At periods of summer solstice when the F2-layer persists almost round the clock, no effect of Pi2 pulsation attenuation is observed at sunrise and sunset. The pulsation amplitudes behave in a similar manner. Results of this study suggest the conclusion that the propagation of signal from the Pi2 sourse into the mid-latitudes, and also the parameters of these pulsations are essentially affected by electron density in the ionospheric F2-layer.      

Plasma transport in the plasmasphere

The plasmasphere is filled with very low energy plasma upwelling from the topside ionosphere. The field-aligned distribution of this thermal ionospheric plasma is controlled by the gravitational and centrifugal potential distribution. There are two extreme types of hydrostatic plasma distribution in this field-aligned potential : the Diffusive Equilibrium distribution and the Exospheric Equilibrium distribution corresponding respectively to a saturated and to an almost empty magnetic flux tube. As a result of pitch angle scattering by Coulomb collisions an increasing number of ions escaping from the ionosphere are stored on trapped orbits with mirror points at high altitudes in the low density region. As a result of collisions the field-aligned density distribution gradually changes from exospheric equilibrium with a highly anisotropic pitch angle (cigar like) distribution to a diffusive equilibrium with a nearly isotropic pitch angle distribution. It is shown that the suprathermal ions become anisotropic much more slowly than ions of energies smaller than 1 eV. The Coulomb collision times have been estimated for flux tubes at different L values. A numerical simulation of the flux tube refilling process has been presented. The diurnal variation of the equatorial plasma density has been illustrated for plasma elements convected along drift paths which have a large dawn- dusk asymetry. The formation of a Light Ion Trough is discussed. Finally, evidence has also been given for the existence of a ‘plasmaspheric wind’ corresponding to a slow subsonic and continuous radial expansion of the plasma stored in the plasmasphere.     

The generator system of field-aligned currents during the April 06, 2000, superstorm

Using ground-based magnetometer data of the April 6–7, 2000, superstorm, we obtained maps of ionospheric and field-aligned currents (FACs). Based on these, we deduced the electrical circuit of the disturbed magnetosphere/ionosphere and a conceptual model of its magnetospheric generators, which supply both hemispheres. This model implies that the generator system creates primarily the Region-1 FACs of Iijima and Potemra at both hemispheres, while the Region-2 and Region-0 FACs form by spreading of the Region-1 currents through the ionosphere. This conclusion is supported by observations.     

Positive ion distributions in the morning auroral zone: Local acceleration and drift effects

We report on the typical structure of the large scale ion precipitation in the morning sector of the auroral zone and associated low frequency electromagnetic waves. Data obtained during near radial passes of the AUREOL-3 satellite point to a distinction between two main precipitation regions: 1) In the poleward part of the auroral zone the latitudinal variation of the average energy (or temperature) of the precipitated ions (mainly H⁺) indicate that they are adiabatically accelerated in the outer magnetosphere. This “high energy” (? 3 to > 20 keV) precipitation is usually associated with a low energy (E < 110 eV) upward flowing 0⁺ and H⁺ component, and 2) near the boundary between discrete and diffuse electron aurorae a drastic change in the ion characteristics is observed. The flux of energetic precipitated H⁺ ions is sharply reduced, which suggests the formation of an Alfvén layer. However, intense fluxes of precipitated H⁺, O⁺, and He⁺ ions with energies < 3 keV are observed equatorward of the Alfvén layer, in coincidence with the diffuse aurora and in association with quasi-monochromatic electromagnetic waves with frequencies around the proton gyrofrequency. As the characteristic convection and bounce times of the low energy upward flowing ion component are comparable (τ > 3 hours) we suggest that the precipitation of ionospheric ions inside the diffuse aurora results from convection and corotation of the ions accelerated to suprathermal energies at higher latitudes.     

Statistical ionospheric E layer properties measured with the Cyprus Digisonde and comparisons with IRI predictions

This paper reports the diurnal, seasonal, and long term variability of the E layer critical frequency (foE) and peak height (hmE) derived from Digisonde measurements from 2009 to 2016 at the low-middle latitude European station of Nicosia, Cyprus (geographical coordinates: 35°N, 33°E, geomagnetic lat. 29.38°N, I = 51.7°). Manually scaled monthly median values of foE and hmE are compared with IRI-2012 predictions with a view to assess the predictability of IRI. Results show that in general, IRI slightly overestimates foE values both at low and high solar activity. At low solar activity, overestimations are mostly limited to 0.25?MHz (equivalent electron density, 0.775?×?10³?el/m^?3) but can go as high as 0.5?MHz (equivalent electron density, 3.1?×?10³?el/m^?3, during noon) around equinox. In some months, underestimations, though sporadic in nature, up to 0.25?MHz are noted (mostly during sunrise and sunset). At high solar activity, a similar pattern of over-/underestimation is evident. During the entire period of study, over-/under estimations are mostly limited to 0.25?MHz. In very few cases, these exceed 0.25?MHz but are limited to 0.5?MHz. Analysis of hmE reveals that: (1) hmE remains almost constant during ±2 to ±4?h around local noon, (2) hmE values are higher in winter than in spring, summer and autumn, (3) there are two maxima near sunrise and sunset with a noontime minimum in between. During the entire period of study, significant differences between observed hmE and the IRI predictions have been noted. IRI fails to predict hmE and outputs a constant value of 110?km, which is higher than most of the observed values. Over- and under estimations range from 3 to 13?km and from 0 to 3?km respectively.